Jimmy Snuggerud is officially joining the St. Louis Blues organization.
On Friday, the Blues announced the signing of Snuggerud to a three-year, entry-level contract. The former captain of the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers is expected to begin practicing with the team on Monday.
Snuggerud was selected by St. Louis as the 23rd overall pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.
Despite being drafted in 2022, the 20-year-old right-handed forward chose to return to the University of Minnesota for his junior year in the 2024-25 season. He cited “unfinished business” after the team`s premature exit from the NCAA`s Frozen Four tournament the previous season.
During his final season with the Gophers, Snuggerud showcased exceptional talent, leading the team with 24 goals, 27 assists, and a total of 51 points across 40 games. His performance earned him recognition as a Big Ten First Team All-Star for the second consecutive year. He was also among the top contenders for the prestigious Hobey Baker Award, given to the NCAA`s best player.
However, the Gophers experienced another early departure from this year`s Frozen Four, losing in overtime to the University of Massachusetts in the first round. Despite the loss, Snuggerud contributed two goals in the game.
In addition to his college achievements, Snuggerud represented the United States at the World Junior Championship, where he scored five goals in six games.
